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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed listening to this and learning about Mr. Rogers's education and background. I admire him even more now!
I have strong memories of watching Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood as a child, often in conjunction with Sesame Street. What strikes me looking back is despite his slow methodical way of speaking, I don’t remember ever feeling talked down to - and as a kid I was always VERY aware of when I was being talked down to.
This biography is a solid book exploring the impact Fred Rogers has on modern culture through the lens of his early inspirations and dedication to using media to expand the possibilities for children. The book starts with his childhood and weaves personal and professional life up through about 1969, when the book decides to spend several chapters focusing on aspects of Rogers’ career before catching us up with a chapter about his family life. I understand the reason for it, but it left Rogers’ personality during his middle years as somewhat of an enigma right as we are digging in to his life’s work and the stark separation between personal and professional is the reason it’s not 5 stars.
Overall it’s an engaging biography about an extraordinary person, and I will probably reread parts of it when feeling low.
This biography is a solid book exploring the impact Fred Rogers has on modern culture through the lens of his early inspirations and dedication to using media to expand the possibilities for children. The book starts with his childhood and weaves personal and professional life up through about 1969, when the book decides to spend several chapters focusing on aspects of Rogers’ career before catching us up with a chapter about his family life. I understand the reason for it, but it left Rogers’ personality during his middle years as somewhat of an enigma right as we are digging in to his life’s work and the stark separation between personal and professional is the reason it’s not 5 stars.
Overall it’s an engaging biography about an extraordinary person, and I will probably reread parts of it when feeling low.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
I didn't have cable as a child. So when I wanted to watch something, my choices were limited to PBS or the Pound Puppy movie that I continuously rented from Hollywood Video for some inexplicable reason. I always loved Mr. Rogers's Neighborhood, and looking back on it through this book it was very different than a lot of other shows on TV in the early 90's.
If you are looking for scandal and drama, this is not the book for you. Mr. Rogers is kind of a real-life Mary Sue. However, the attention to detail that he put into everything he did was incredibly interesting, and as a Pitt alumna it was very fun to hear them talk about various locations in Pittsburgh that I had passed by for years.
Basically, this book makes me happy and nostalgic. Also, LeVar Burton being the narrator of the audiobook adds to that feeling.
If you are looking for scandal and drama, this is not the book for you. Mr. Rogers is kind of a real-life Mary Sue. However, the attention to detail that he put into everything he did was incredibly interesting, and as a Pitt alumna it was very fun to hear them talk about various locations in Pittsburgh that I had passed by for years.
Basically, this book makes me happy and nostalgic. Also, LeVar Burton being the narrator of the audiobook adds to that feeling.
Just finished listening to this comprehensive story of Fred Rogers' life and works. The book made me miss the man even more. He has always been a lighthouse on the shore of our confusing world and I miss his guidance. The book is definitely a way to feel connected again and a beam to help us find the path. If anything, I now appreciate his dedication to and knowledge of, early childhood education even more than I did. Fred Rogers certainly had his own issues, quirks, and need for control. But his overarching concern for other people, and for children especially, made him the best neighbor anyone could ever have! I like him, just the way he was.
Could not finish it, the man and his works were brilliant but the authors descriptions are dull.
Maxwell King described Fred Rogers as "the Zen Master of Childhood," and I'll be ruminating on that for a long-time. Fred Rogers, his accomplishments, his interests, and his way of approaching his work and life amazed me.
Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project recommended that people find a role model (she reads all she can about St. Therese of Lisieux). I've always been interested in memoirs and biographies, and since reading Rubin's book, I've thought about the people I've read about in different ways: what can I learn from this person? how can this person's life change or improve my life? I'll be thinking of ways I can be more "Freddish" for a while!
Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project recommended that people find a role model (she reads all she can about St. Therese of Lisieux). I've always been interested in memoirs and biographies, and since reading Rubin's book, I've thought about the people I've read about in different ways: what can I learn from this person? how can this person's life change or improve my life? I'll be thinking of ways I can be more "Freddish" for a while!
3.5 stars
I grew up watching the trinity of PBS programming, which included Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Sesame Street, and The Electric Company. While there were interesting parts to this novel, it was by no means perfect. To be honest, I almost feel guilty giving this book three stars because it feels almost like a judgement on the life of Fred Rogers when in fact, it is more a statement of the author and his telling of his life. In the telling of Fred Rogers life and family, at times it seemed that it was more than admiration, but teetered on the edge of idolization of Fred's parents and family. Also, the novel tended to be repetitive, referencing or retelling the same small snippets of Fred Rogers's life multiple times. Even with that I enjoyed this confirmation that Fred Rogers was the same man in front of and away from the camera.
I grew up watching the trinity of PBS programming, which included Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Sesame Street, and The Electric Company. While there were interesting parts to this novel, it was by no means perfect. To be honest, I almost feel guilty giving this book three stars because it feels almost like a judgement on the life of Fred Rogers when in fact, it is more a statement of the author and his telling of his life. In the telling of Fred Rogers life and family, at times it seemed that it was more than admiration, but teetered on the edge of idolization of Fred's parents and family. Also, the novel tended to be repetitive, referencing or retelling the same small snippets of Fred Rogers's life multiple times. Even with that I enjoyed this confirmation that Fred Rogers was the same man in front of and away from the camera.
It is amazing what someone can do with their wealth and privilege when kindness is the basis of their life's work and passion.
"His signature value was human kindness; he lived it and he preached it to children, to their parents, to their teachers, to all of us everywhere who could take the time to listen."
"His signature value was human kindness; he lived it and he preached it to children, to their parents, to their teachers, to all of us everywhere who could take the time to listen."
Fred Rogers was a gift and a treasure, the world will always be a better place from having him in it. I enjoyed this biography very much and learned a great deal more about our Mister Rogers. Well done!